Hardin-Jefferson linebackers Mason McCarble (53) and Skyler Conner (9) try to run down East Chambers running back Lane Simon (30) during a game earlier this season. With five wins under their belt, the Hawks are in good position of making the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Photo provided by Drew Loker. less

Hardin-Jefferson linebackers Mason McCarble (53) and Skyler Conner (9) try to run down East Chambers running back Lane Simon (30) during a game earlier this season. With five wins under their belt, the Hawks ... more

Photo: Drew Loker

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Hardin-Jeffersonâs Jared Gleseke runs the ball for a short gain with East Chambers' Charlie Edwards to make the tackle at Buccaneer Stadium Friday night. Photo provided by Drew Loker.

Hardin-Jeffersonâs Jared Gleseke runs the ball for a short gain with East Chambers' Charlie Edwards to make the tackle at Buccaneer Stadium Friday night. Photo provided by Drew Loker.

If proof exists that a higher power loves Texas high school football, it might have occurred Friday night in Winnie.

Before Hardin-Jefferson and East Chambers kicked off, storms across Texas caused game cancellations. A look at the radar showed a pocket of dry weather forming around where the game was set to begin an eventual 10-7, East Chambers homecoming victory.

Lightning in the distance lit up the sky for brief, staggered instances, but the sloppy game went on.

The sidelines became swamps, loaded with rainfall from earlier in the day.

The game was highlighted by seven turnovers between the two teams. The final tally was four East Chambers (2-1) fumbles (two of which were lost), two lost H-J (3-1) fumbles, two East Chambers interceptions, an interception on H-J's only pass attempt and a muffed H-J field goal attempt (mishandled hold) at the end of the first half, which proved to be the difference.

"When it got sloppy, we knew it would be up to (our defense) to win the game," East Chambers senior defensive back Jarrod Guillory said.

The Buccaneers' defense held H-J's Slot-T attack to 123 yards rushing, the Hawks only yards of the night. H-J's points came on a 10-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Camden DuBois with 7:12 left in the first quarter.

The Hawks had chances in East Chambers territory, but mishandling the ball and penalties (they finished with five penalties for 35 yards) cost them.

"The Slot-T is difficult to defend and we prepared hard for it," East Chambers coach Russ Sutherland said. "Our defense played fantastic."

East Chambers senior running back Dory Roberts led the Bucs with 92 yards rushing on 14 attempts with a 23-yard touchdown run with 1:12 left in the first quarter.

After East Chambers junior Victor Lopez made a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter, neither side scored another point.

With his team knelt before him in a circle, Sutherland expressed the desire to improve even though the Bucs had just beaten a 3A team they lost to last season.

Along with fans, the group of green and yellow bowed their heads in prayer.

When they finished and looked up, it began to drizzle. Seconds later, the drizzle turned to larger drops.